Israeli soldiers have destroyed the only desalination plant serving water needs in besieged north Gaza, according to the Palestinian Water Authority, Al Jazeera reports.

It said in a statement cited by the Wafa news agency that technical teams have encountered many difficulties in accessing the site due to the widespread destruction of roads and infrastructure, along with a shortage of equipment and fuel.

An initial technical assessment revealed severe damage to the electrical and electromechanical components of the plant’s various operational stages and units.

“Israeli occupation forces completely demolished some of the plant’s key components, including five sea water supply wells, the plant’s intake pipeline, two power generators, a pump, a return water line, as well as external fences and output pumps,” the authority said.

It said this was part of efforts to “systematically destroy Gaza’s water sector” and added that the plant provided clean water to the northern and western neighbourhoods of Gaza City.